NCC Certified Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) Practice Exam

What condition does sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) increase the risk for in the fetus?

1. Hypoglycemia

2. Congestive heart failure

3. Polyhydramnios

4. Neonatal jaundice

The correct answer is: Congestive heart failure

Sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can lead to significant hemodynamic changes that may adversely affect the fetus. When a mother experiences SVT, the increased heart rate can result in reduced cardiac output and impaired placental perfusion, which may lead to fetal distress. Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow to meet the body's needs. In the case of sustained SVT, if the fetal heart rate remains elevated, the fetal heart may eventually tire out, potentially leading to congestive heart failure or heart failure symptoms in the fetus. This condition can manifest as an accumulation of fluid in various fetal compartments, leading to complications such as hydrops fetalis. In contrast, while hypoglycemia, polyhydramnios, and neonatal jaundice may be concerns in different clinical contexts, they are not directly correlated with the sustained effects of SVT in a similar manner that would pose a clear risk of congestive heart failure. Therefore, the risk for the fetus primarily associated with sustained SVT is indeed congestive heart failure.